I really enjoyed it, although I wasn't all that impressed by Michelle Ryan. Or maybe it was the Christina character that just didn't do it for me. But anyway, it was fun and the swarm stingrays were just fabulous. Much, much, much better than The Next Doctor!

I had to laugh at the "tackle-hug-I love you" scene - because that's just what I would do (except I wouldn't let go).

Then I watched the latest Primeval and got all upset. No spoilers, but - damn.

Everyone on Youtube keeps saying it looks like the film pitch black, I've never seen it, but is that a fair comment?

Not even a little bit IMO. But a Fun fun fun episode.

Have to disagree with Oz though, I quite dug Lady Christina quite a bit, though given that I have a Y chromosome, I may be a bit biased. Rrrrrowwwwrrrrr. But I'd think it wold be great to see her show up again in another story.

Love how The Doc was introduced in the episode too. (close up on the shoes!)

I remember hearing that all the specials this year are linked in some way. We saw evidence of this at the end, when that women told the Doctor what she did. The first thing she said was exactly what the Ood told him back in Planet of the Ood, that his "song" would soon end. The rest of what she said was creepy too. I can't wait to see all of it play out. And we know how it will all end, this year. :doc10:

I didnt think it was all that spectacular. Of course, the whole controversy some fan sites made about it being made in Dubai, and all we saw was and dunes. Havent they ever heard of Tunisia?

I wont spoil anything for anyone, but I wondered why they didnt spend a few quid on proper bug suits for the fly people. I mean, really! Cotton boiler suits? That is sooo old school BBC. They go on and on about how they have all this money for it and dont even spend it on new monster suits.

The Confidential puts a lot of things in perspective. This was the Doctor's last fun adventurous romp before the events leading to this year's conclusion, so they had a little fun with it: The Fly-aliens (an intentional homage to 70s-era scifi), the goofy scientist, and the beautiful jewel thief.

I really liked how UNIT was portrayed in this episode - willing to make the tough military decisions, but not excessively violent or frustrating.

This one was definitely better than the Christmas special (no over the top element like last time). The Fly-aliens at least contributed to the plot (I kept thinking back to the Doctor's Daughter where the bug people were worthless). The one thing I am happy about is that Christina isn't gonna be the companion. I really didn't see much chemistry between her and the Doctor though they did have things in common. Also was nice to see UNIT back. The next story in November looks good.

The Confidential showed just how rough trying to film in Dubai was (at least it was a trip out of Cardiff and the usual quarries).

I'm rating it "Pretty Good" but that might have more to do with the lack of new Who since last year. If "Planet of the Dead" had been mixed into the middle of a regular series it might not have stood out as a superior episode and could have rated just an "Average" score. That's just my two cents. Perhaps my opinion will improve upon a second viewing.

I was a bit disappointed with the resolution between The Doctor and Lady Christina. Somehow it didn't just feel right. It's difficult to explain without giving away too much of the plot. But I suppose they weren't about to link up a new vivacious female companion at this point when Number 10's "demise" is upon the horizon.

Lee Evans' Dr. Malcolm was a bit over done, I think. He was funny at first but his affinity for The Doctor got a bit out of hand as the story went on.

The story was straightforward enough with perhaps just a tad too much dialogue and not quite enough story in the middle third.

My only real question is why did everybody just have one shadow on a planet with three suns? They managed two shadows in a dark library, didn't they? Even if the three suns were just a throwaway plot point, they should have paid more attention to it.

With all the spectacular effects and action sequences, I still think my favorite bit of the show was the interaction and dialog between the Doctor and the poor guy who thought he had a gold watch.

PS - The folks at Character Options will miss out on a great boxed set of figures if they don't release a "Planet of the Dead" collection: Christina, Capt. Magambo, Dr. Taylor, Tritovore, Doctor in Sunglasses. Perhaps a BAF of one of the swarming metal rays?

I think they put too much camp into it. Way too much flying bus and Malcolm worshipping the Doctor. You can have those elements in there, but they shoud be used sparingly. it just cheapened the episode for no reason. For a special, I was expecting a meatier plot.I enjoyed Lady Christina, the fly aliens, and the metal mantas.